Senate to Vote on Repealing Changes to Net Neutrality Rules

Thursday, 17 May, 2018

"For a small business like mine - and I think probably numerous small farms that Stonyfield is sourcing milk from - everything is internet-based now", said Roger Noonan, President of the New England Farmers Union.

The rules, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said at the time, solved a problem that did not exist.

The resolution is likely to be vetoed if it reaches the president's desk.

A simple majority is required, but right now only a single Republican Senator, Maine's Susan Collins, has courageously stepped across the aisle to join the Democrat-led effort.

The House has introduced a similar CRA resolution.

Currently, the effort to retain Net Neutrality has the backing of 50 USA senators, including that of Republican Susan Collins.

Markey argued that by passing his resolution and putting net neutrality "back on the books", the Senate can "send a clear message to American families that we support them, not the special interest agenda of President (Donald) Trump and his broadband baron allies".

Senator Hassan speaks with Stonyfield employees about the negative impact that repealing net neutrality would have on rural businesses.

Announcing that Democrats would force a vote on the repeal of net neutrality, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of NY said in a statement, "Soon the American people will know which side their member of Congress is on: fighting for big corporations and ISPs or defending small business owners, entrepreneurs, middle-class families, and everyday consumers". The White House has expressed its support for the FCC's move in December to repeal the net neutrality rules, and Trump has often touted his ability to roll back government regulations.

Specifically, the Obama-era rules classified the internet as a "telecommunications service" subject to Title II of the 1934 Communications Act - not an "information service".

Today's the big day for the Senate's big push to undo the FCC's "Restoring Internet Freedom" order nullifying 2015's net neutrality rules.

Democrats argue the new FCC rules give too much power to internet service providers, which they fear will throttle down internet speeds for some websites and services while ramping it up for others who pay more.

Those rules were meant to ensure a free and open internet, give consumers equal access to web content and bar broadband service providers from favoring their own material or others. "This is the way things were prior to 2015, and how they will be once again".

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